Table unit

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a table unit for seats in vehicles, especially airplane seats, comprising a first table element ( 10 ) which is provided with the functions of a table, and a second table element ( 12 ) which is provided with at least one other table function. Both table elements ( 10, 12 ) can be rotated in relation to each other about a first pivotal axis ( 14 ) by means of at least one hinge ( 18, 20 ) can be fixed in a predetermined position. It is possible to integrate various desired table functions in a single table unit as a result of the fact that both table elements ( 10,12 ) can be rotated about another pivotal axis ( 16 ) by means of another joint ( 20, 22 ) and can be fixed in a predetermined position. The possible table surface and position thereof can be varied in such a way certain table functions are protected and other service personnel can have access to them.

[0001] The invention relates to a table unit for vehicle seats, especially aircraft passenger seats, with one table element, which has an assignable table function, another table element with at least one other table function being present, and the two table elements can rotate relative to one another around a first swivelling axis by way of at least one articulation and can be fixed in definable positions.

[0002] A table unit of this type is disclosed by DE 197 05 754 A1. The known table design includes a folding table for a seat in a vehicle for passenger conveyance, a display screen being integrated into the table top. The display extends only over part of the table surface, and the remaining part of the table surface can be used as a working surface. The table top consists of at least two parts which are made to be foldable towards one another around a common axis with the pertinent articulations, one part being used to accommodate the screen and the other part being used as a working surface. The part of the table top which accommodates the screen can be tilted into several rest positions relative to the part of the table top which is used as the working surface in order to allow the viewer a suitable angle for viewing the screen. When not in use, the table top can be lowered into a console which is used as the holding device for the table top, the console being formed in the known solution from the armrest of the seat itself.

[0003] The disadvantage in this known solution is that the respective table unit can only perform table functions of very limited scope.

[0004] Based on this prior art, the object of the invention is to improve the known table units for vehicle seats, especially aircraft passenger seats, such that it is possible to integrate different desired table functions in a table unit and to still vary the possible table surface and its position such that on the one hand it represents an effective aid and on the other it simplifies eating. The object in this regard is achieved by a table unit with the feature of claim 1.

[0005] In that, as specified in the descriptive portion of claim 1, the two table elements can be rotated around another swivelling axis by way of at least one other articulation and can be fixed in definable positions, various table functions in the two table elements can be integrated, and depending on which table element is unfolded by the user facing him, the respectively chosen table function is activated and the unneeded table functions remain in their removed state; this also has the advantage that they cannot be damaged. If for example one table element is used for eating, it is possible to move the other table element provided for example with a computer unit and a display as a table function into the position of non-use such that they cannot be scratched by food residue or damaged by the like. Since the two table elements can be rotated relative to one another around at least two different swivelling axes by way of articulations and can be fixed in definable positions, on the one hand the two table elements can lie flush on one another or can be unfolded next to one another with doubling of their table surfaces. In the folded-up state then the table unit takes up less space in the removed position, for example housed in the arm rest, and unfolded the table surface is enlarged, especially compared to the folded-up state essentially doubled, such that as much table surface is available for setting up and consuming the respective food. In the unfolded state of the table unit the respective table surface of the two table elements can be chosen such that the seat width is not exceeded, so that disturbances of the individual in the next seat can be avoided.

[0006] Additionally, it is possible to adjust the two table elements relative to one another in their tilt by way of the second swivelling axis and to set them by a fixing means such that even in the reclined position of the seat with the backrest tilted at least one table element which is facing the seat user can be moved into the corresponding inclined position. The tilted partial table surface then improves the readability of the respective reading material, for example in the form of magazine articles or books, since the respective page maintains a uniform distance to the viewer.

[0007] In one especially preferred embodiment of the table unit as claimed in the invention a table function can be assigned to each table element, especially in the form of a make-up area and/or a computer unit and/or a possibility for setting down food and/or a support for reading matter. Consequently, with only one table unit a host of objects can be achieved and the comfort for the user of the seat can be clearly increased without additional installation space having to be provided for the indicated table functions on the respective seat. In one advantageous further configuration of the table functions integrated in the table unit it is provided that the respective function unit can be covered by a cover such that it forms one part of the flat table surface, in order not to adversely affect the actual table function.

[0008] Other advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] In what follows the table unit claimed for the invention is detailed with reference to the drawings. In diagrammatic form and not drawn to scale

[0010]FIGS. 1 and 2 show an oblique view of the table unit in the folded-up and unfolded state;

[0011]FIG. 3 the table unit as shown in FIG. 1 and 2 with a tilted partial table surface;

[0012]FIGS. 4a and 4 b an operating model of one of the articulations used, illustrated in the folded-up state as shown in FIG. 1 or in the unfolded state as shown in FIG. 2.

[0013] The table unit shown in the figures is to be used especially in the area of aircraft passenger seats. But it is also easily possible to use these table units in ferries, trains, long-distance busses or the like. The table unit has a first table element 10 which as shown in FIG. 1 rests on the subjacent other table element 12. In the state as shown in FIG. 1 on top of one another, the two table elements 10, 12 end essentially flush on top of one another to the outside and form an essentially square table surface. The two table elements 10, 12, as will be detailed below, can be rotated relative to one another around at least two swivelling axes by way of three articulations 18, 20, 22 and can be fixed to one another in definable positions. The possible rotating or swivelling motions of the respective table element 10, 12 around the two swivelling axes 14, 16 are indicated in FIG. 1 by double arrows, the two swivelling axes 14, 16 being perpendicular to one another and lying in the plane of the table which with the table unit extended runs from the arm rest or the like essentially horizontally.

[0014] If the upper table element 10 viewed in the direction of looking at FIG. 1 is swivelled counterclockwise around the swivelling axis 14, the table unit assumes its unfolded position as shown FIG. 2, then the two table elements 10, 12 next to one another forming essentially a rectangular table surface which corresponds preferably in its width to the width of the seat so that the individual in the neighboring seat in a row of aircraft passenger seats is not disturbed by the expanded table surface. In aircraft passenger seats is not disturbed by the expanded table surface. In the respective unfolded state the table unit is especially suited as a dining table, food and beverages being easily accommodated on the table surface. The dining table function in this regard increases comfort when a seat user is eating.

[0015] Furthermore, it is also possible to move the upper table element 10 clockwise by way of the second swivelling axis 16 from its flat horizontal position as shown in FIG. 1 into the tilted position as shown in FIG. 3, and it can be fixed in this tilted position by a fixing means 24. In this embodiment the fixing means 24 has a holder 26 which can be folded out in the position as shown in FIG. 2 and which in its initial position as shown in FIG. 2 is held flush in the recess of the upper table element 10, which recess runs on the outside periphery. The holder 26 is supported on the table element 10 to be able to rotate around a swivelling journal 28 and when set up for example can assume a position as it shown by the broken line in FIG. 3, in which in the tilted position of the table element 10 the free end of the holder 26 is supported on the top of the table element 12. By swivelling the holder 26 and moreover by adjusting the fixing means 24 the incline can be set and fixed according to the stipulations of the user in definable angular ranges. Instead of the holder 26 a fixing means 24 can also be implemented by way of a type of ratchet mechanism (not shown) in which at least the articulation 20 follows the tilt of the table element 10 and the articulation 20 retains its swivelled position as a result of the ratchet arrangement. The third articulation 22 can follow the movement of the ratchet by restricted guidance and in this way ensure the tilted adjustment of the table element 10.

[0016] As the aforementioned clearly shows, each swivelling axis 14, 16 is defined by two articulations or articulation pairs 18, 20 and 20, 22 at a time. The indicated articulations 18, 20 and 22 are located at a right angle to one another on the outside periphery on the table unit, the articulation 20 being located in one corner between the two other articulations 18, 22. Thus, this middle articulation 20 is assigned both to one swivelling axis 14 and also the other swivelling axis 16. Preferably for the unfolding and tilting motion of the table element 10 the articulation 20 is technically implemented as a so-called universal joint.

[0017] All articulations 18, 20, 22 have one articulation housing 30, for all articulations 18 and 22 the respectively assigned articulation housing 30 having a locking part 32 in the manner of a locking clamp with two clamping clips 34. The articulation housings 30 which consist preferably of one elastically pliable plastic material allow in the manner of a snap or clip part by way of the locking part 32 detachable connection to an assignable engagement part 36 in the manner of a connecting journal which remains on the respective table element, here the table element 12 (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3). The journal-like engagement part 36 for the first articulation 18 is located in a U-shaped recess 36 in the corner area of the table element 12, conversely the other engagement part 36 for the third articulation 22 in an angular recess likewise in another corner area of the table element 12 with its free end projects into the vicinity. The engagement part 36 of the first articulation 18 runs especially within the first swivelling axis 14 and the engagement part 36 of the third articulation 22 is part of the other second articulation 16. When the table elements 10 and 12 are folded apart into the position as shown in FIG. 2 therefore swivelling motion tales place around the engagement part 36 of the first articulation 18 and when setting the incline as shown in FIG. 3 swivelling motion takes place for the table element 10 around the journal-like engagement part 36 of the third articulation 22, the second articulation 20 which is made as a multiple articulation following the pertinent swivelling or tilting motion.

[0018] In addition, the articulation housing 30 of the first articulation 18 has a driver 38 so that the upper table element 10 in the unfolding motion from the position as shown in FIG. 1 into the position as shown in FIG. 2 by way of the driver 38 the assigned articulation 30 is swivelled around the engagement part 36 of the first articulation 18 and consequently around the other table element 12 until the two table elements 10, 12 with the two articulation housings 30 of the first articulation 18 and the second articulation 20 form the plane table surface. The driver 38, as shown especially by FIGS. 4a and 4 b, is formed from a dome-shaped recess located in the center and which lies both in the vertical arrangement (cf. FIG. 4a) and also in the horizontal arrangement (cf. FIG. 4b) in one plane to the engagement part 36. For the indicated driver of the articulation housing 30 of the first articulation 18 the upper table element 10 on its side facing the articulation housing 30 is provided with a spring-loaded closing part 40.

[0019] If the table element 10 is now swivelled counterclockwise from its base position as shown in FIG. 4a upward, the closing part 40 disengages from the hemispherical recess 42 by the closing part 40 being moved in the direction out of the recess 42 within the table element 10 against the force of the closing spring by forced guidance. During the continued unfolding motion the closing part 40 then slides along the arc-shaped contact surface 44 of the articulation 30 until the table element 10 with its lengthwise orientation is located perpendicular to the lower table element 12 (not shown). In this position the closing ball 40, spring-loaded, then locks with the driver 38, by both force-fit and form-fit, such that upon the continued unfolding motion of the table element 10 from its vertical position (not shown) into the horizontal unfolded position as shown in FIG. 2 the articulation housing 30 is entrained in the form of a swivelling motion counterclockwise around the engagement part 36 and consequently around the swivelling axis 14.

[0020] The unfolded position in this respect corresponds to the representation as shown in FIG. 4b for the first articulation 18. In addition to the universal articulation 20 the table element 10 then is fixed by way of the locked closing part 40 and by way of the articulation housing 30 of the first articulation 18 in a horizontal alignment on the other table element 12. The upper and lower table surfaces of the table element 10 and table element 12 then lie in one plane with the outer sides along the lengthwise edges of the housing 30 of the first articulation 18. The arrangement for the second articulation 20 is kept in a comparable manner. The width or height of the articulation housing 30 for the first and second articulation 18 and 20 therefore corresponds essentially to the thickness of the table elements 10, 12. The swivelling-back motion then takes place accordingly in reverse and after the closing part 40 engages the hemispherical recess 42 the housing 30 in turn is moved back into its position as shown in FIG. 4a, the table element 10 with its bottom in contact with the top of the table element 12.

[0021] By way of another hemispherical rolling surface 46 of the articulation housing 30 for the first articulation 18 the pertinent motion forward and away is facilitated by the rolling surface 46 being able to slide down accordingly on the assigned free face of the table element 12. In the pertinent unfolding motion the third articulation 22 by way of its locking part 32 disengages from the assigned engagement part 36. Likewise, in the reverse sequence locking then takes place instead by way of the third articulation 22, if the two table elements 10, 12 are located on top of one another or the table element 10 is tilted by way of the swivelling axis 16 clockwise relative to the horizontal. In the pertinent case the articulation housing 30 of the third articulation 22 then swivels around the assigned engagement journal 36.

[0022] Furthermore, the two table elements 10, 12 can be swivelled in each relative position to one another around a common axis 48 of rotation which runs perpendicular to the two swivelling axes 14, 16. The pertinent axis 48 of rotation is part of a turntable 50 (cf. FIG. 1) by way of which the two table elements 10, 12 are pivotally coupled to the table arm 52 along the double arrows. By way of the pertinent table arm 52 the table unit can then for example be housed in the armrest of the vehicle seat or can be located on the back of the front seat with the capacity to be folded down. Preferably the table arm 52, like the table elements 10, 12, is made of a durable plastic material. For reasons of saving space the turntable 50 is an integral part of the lower table element 12 and is integrated flush in its table surface together with parts of the table arms 52. Accordingly, on either side of the turntable 50 there are free spaces in the table element 12 in order not to hinder rotary or swivelling motion around the axis 48 of rotation.

[0023] As FIGS. 1 by way of the input keyboard 58 also a writing function could be implemented by way of a display or the like. Viewed in the direction of looking at FIGS. 1 and 3, above it is a vanity mirror 60 which can be covered by an unfolding cover 62. The pertinent cover 62 can be housed flush in the table surface of the table element 10 by way of a snap or clip connection 64.

[0024] In order to achieve a plane table surface, accordingly the vanity mirror 60 is located set recessed within the table element 10. Furthermore, within the essentially rectangular cover 62 on its inside facing the vanity mirror 60, preferably in an outside area facing the user, there can be a recessed storage area 66. The lengthwise orientation of the recessed storage area 66 runs parallel to the unfolding axis 68 of the cover 62. The unfolding axis 68 in turn is located running parallel to the swivelling axis 16. Preferably the free path of motion of the cover 62 is limited to a certain angular degree, for example, 120°. But preferably for a tilted table element 10 the cover 62 with the storage area 66 should be located essentially in a horizontal plane running parallel to the table surface of the table element 12. In other respects the computer unit 56 has the pertinent shell-like, preferably partially transparent cover 70.

[0025] As FIG. 2 also shows, for example on the bottom of the table element 10 there can be a circular recess 72 which makes it possible to set down glasses and cups, and the recess 72 can be deepened such that there is edge-side encirclement for glasses and cups in their bottom area in order to enable secure holding for the food in question, thus especially on a rough trip, for example when encountering turbulence. This holding possibility can be optically delineated relative to the remaining surface of the table element 10. Furthermore, the pertinent holding possibility 72 can empty to the outside into the area of the holder 26 which ends flush with the outside peripheral surface of the table element 10. Furthermore, the holder 26 with its free end can engage the facing end of the articulation housing 30 of the third articulation 22 if, as shown in FIG. 2, the holder is folded into the table element 10. Its raised position is shown in FIG. 3 for a definable tilt angle. Integration of other table functions would be conceivable, for example a call possibility for onboard service or the like. Especially with the very restricted space available aboard aircraft or the like the multifunctional tables in terms of the invention represent a clear improvement of comfort. 

1. A table unit for vehicle seats, especially aircraft passenger seats, with one table element (10), having an assignable table function, another table element (12) with at least one other table function being present, and the two table elements (10, 12) can rotate relative to one another around a first swivelling axis (14) by way of at least one articulation (18, 20) and can be fixed in definable positions, characterized in that the two table elements (10, 12) can be rotated around another swivelling axis (16) by way of at least one other articulation (20, 22) and can be fixed in definable positions.
 2. The table unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two table elements (10, 12) can be placed flush on top of one another by way of the first swivelling axis (14) or can be unfolded horizontally next to one another with doubling of the table surface.
 3. The table unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the two table elements (10, 12) can be adjusted relative to one another in their tilt by way of the second swivelling axis (16) or can be fixed in a definable tilt position by a fixing means (24).
 4. The table unit as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each swivelling axis (14, 16) is defined by two articulations (18, 20; 20, 22) which are located in the corner areas of the table unit and wherein one articulation (20) is assigned both to one (14) and the other (16) swivelling axis.
 5. The table unit as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the articulations (18, 20, 22) have an articulation housing (30) which for at least one articulation (18, 22) has a locking part (32) for detachable connection to an assignable engagement part (36) which remains on one of the table elements (12).
 6. The table unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one of the articulation housings (30) is provided with a driver (38) such that one table element (10) in the unfolding motion by way of the driver (38) swivels the articulation housing (30) around the engagement part (36) of the other table element (12) until the two table elements (10, 12) with the articulation housing (30) form a plane table surface.
 7. The table unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second articulation (20) which is located at the crossing point of the swivelling axis (14, 16) constitutes a multiple joint.
 8. The table unit as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the two table elements (10, 12) can be swivelled around a common axis (48) of rotation which runs perpendicular to the two swivelling axes (14, 16) of the table elements (10, 12).
 9. The table unit as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a different table function can be assigned to each table element (10, 12), especially has a make-up area (60) and/or a computer unit (56) and/or a holding possibility (72) for food and/or a holding area (54) for reading material.
 10. The table unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least some of the table functions are integrated in the respective table element (10, 12) and can be covered by a cover (62, 70) such that the cover (62, 70) forms part of the plane table surface. 